LIRR train struck vehicle in Hewlett

An eastbound Long island Rail Road (LIRR) train on the Far Rockaway line struck a vehicle at West Broadway, west of the Hewlett station at about 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Sam Zambuto, a LIRR spokesman.

Zambuto said that the train hit a Toyota Rave 4 at the West Broadway crossing.

"The MTA Police preliminary investigation reveals that the car, operated by a 55-year-old female, stopped on the crossing due to traffic congestion," he said. "The gates activated due to the approaching train and the driver was unable to move the vehicle off the crossing."

With the train moving at what Zambuto called a "low rate of speed" minimal damage was caused after the train struck the front of the Toyota.

The initial MTA police investigation has found that the crossing gates appeared to have been operating as intended and had come down for the approaching train. The driver was issued a summons for obstructing the crossing.

"The train was delayed at the scene for approximately ninety minutes, then continued on to Far Rockaway, said Zambuto, who added that there were no reported injuries